Michigan State's Branden Dawson back to old self in scoring career-high 17 points in win against Iowa

Michigan State guard Branden Dawson dunks during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, in Iowa City, Iowa. Dawson scored a career-high 17 points as Michigan State won 62-59.AP Photo

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Michigan State's Branden Dawson has three
stripes shaved into the side of his head, a new hairstyle with a flair all its
own.

"It's just the old style, back in the day," Dawson said
fresh off the Spartans' 62-59 win against Iowa on Thursday.

And it was the old, pre-knee surgery version of the Dawson
that reappeared and led Michigan State with a career-high 17 points and some
critical plays down the stretch during the Spartans' comeback victory.

"I kept telling myself, 'Come out and have energy.'" Dawson
said. "That's the main thing. Coach (Tom Izzo) said he's not going to coach
energy and effort anymore."

Dawson came up with a steal and ran in for a high-flying
dunk with 48 seconds left to give Michigan State the go-ahead points, and that
wasn't even his most impressive play.

The most striking example came in the first half when he
blocked Eric May's layup attempt, grabbed the rebound, split through the
defense and scored a layup on the other end of the floor to cut the Iowa lead
to two points after the Hawkeyes had led by 12.

Entering into beast mode exhilarated the sophomore who has
struggled at times 10 months removed from surgery to repair a torn anterior
cruciate ligament.

"It felt great. It put a smile on my face because I made a hustle
play, got back down (the court)," Dawson said. "My team needs me to make great
plays like that and just bringing that energy and that effort."

So imagine how Izzo felt after he watched what he thought
was one of Dawson's best performances of his career. Dawson was 7-for-12 from
the field and appeared invigorated after having battled conditioning issues
this season.

"Russell Byrd said it best in the locker room," Izzo said. "He
said, Coach, you don't have to be on BJ about no motor tonight."